“Some people — one of our friends — ”

“Your memory is short.”

“Ah! true; Bragelonne, you mean.”

“Exactly so.”

“Who was on his way to fulfil a mission, with which he was intrusted to King Charles II.”

“Precisely. Well, then, did he not tell you, or did not you tell him — ”

“I do not precisely know what I told him, I must confess: but I do know what I did not tell him.” De Wardes was finesse itself.

He perfectly well knew from De Guiche’s tone and manner, which was cold and dignified, that the conversation was